Edward I built Beaumaris Castle on the Island of Anglesey in 1295. It made up part of the "iron ring" of castles built by Edward in north Wales to defend his authority in the area. The great castle architect, James of St George, used all his experience and inspiration in the most ambitious building project of his career. Unfortunately, money and materials ran out before the fortifications were completed. In spite of this, Beaumaris remains one of the most perfectly designed castles in Britain. Its layout consists of four successive lines of fortifications, set out in a symmetrically concentric design. Any enemy would have been hard-pressed to penetrate its defences. However, it saw little action as Edward's military needs were re-directed to different parts of his kingdom and the castle was abandoned.